Present: Marcus Coleman (MC) Malcolm Large (ML) Holly Whiteley (HW) Lynn Gilmore (LG) Alan McCulla (AMcC) Juanita Emerson (JE)

Transcription

1 Minutes of the 22nd meeting of the Northern Ireland Advisory Committee Held at the Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle On Thursday 24 th March 2016 at 9.30am. Present: Alison Austin (AA) (Chair) Mike Park (MP) Marcus Coleman (MC) Malcolm Large (ML) Holly Whiteley (HW) Lynn Gilmore (LG) Alan McCulla (AMcC) Dan Whittle (DW) Martin Flanigan (MF) John Rooney (JR) Alan Hanna (AH) Bob McCoubrey (BMcC) Dick James (DJ) Juanita Emerson (JE) In attendance: Mark McCaughan (MMcC) Matt Service (MS) Annika Clements (AC) Carrie McMinn (CMcM) Rod Cappell (RC) Board Board ANIFPO Kilkeel Seafoods Ltd. Aquaculture Initiative Rooney Fish Pit Stop Café Mourne Seafood NIFPO SFITA DARD AFBI AFBI AFBI Poseidon Apologies: Sam Mawhinney (Denholms) Note: All actions generated highlighted in bold italics. 1. Welcome and apologies AA welcomed everyone to the 22 nd SNIAC meeting and then led round table introductions. MC gave a short introduction and summary of his first months in. 1

2 2. Minutes of the last meeting held on 17 th November 2015 The minutes of the last meeting were tabled and adopted as a true record of discussions. The Chairman signed and dated copies. 3. Matters Arising After a request from AA, LG went through the actions from the last meeting and updated members informing them that all actions were completed. 4. Activities update General Northern Ireland project update LG gave an update on general NI progress and highlighted the 2016/17 NI annual plan. Actions: LG to circulate NI presentation; continue working towards the NI Regional Strategy 2015/ 2108; start work as per the NI Annual Plan 2016/ 2017; develop a Seafood Week event; develop RASS profiles for NI stocks Scallop project: Suggested by Dick James- the scallop fleet has expanded from 6 boats 20 years ago to 53 boats now and industry are concerned about sustainability. Scallop Association and industry support a project to look at the potential for restocking areas- 10 have been proposed by industry and funding sought from to work with AFBI and narrow this down to 2-3 areas with most potential to act as reserves and enhance scallop populations within and outwith these areas. Action: LG to meet CMcM to discuss this project further. Landings obligation: a discussion took place on issues for NI fleet of landings obligation implementation for demersal fisheries. Actions: DARD to consider asking LG to sit on the Fisheries Taskforce following a request from industry; to produce a document to frame the NI position wrt the Landings Obligation and include some blue- sky thinking on what could ease the potential issues caused. Irish Sea Marine Conservation Zones (AFBI/ Poseidon) AFBI presentation AC gave a presentation on the Alternative MCZ project, the final report of which was circulated in draft final format by LG several weeks earlier. AMcC asked that his thanks and admiration be recorded for this excellent piece of work and super presentation by AC. Poseidon presentation 2

3 RC gave an overview of his work which gives a socioeconomic comparison of the importance of the original proposed MCZs (South Rigg, Slieve na Griddle and Mud Hole) to the new industry approved site (Queenie Corner). MMcC said that it would be useful to invite Defra officials to NI to seize the agenda regarding MCZs and have presentations of the work by AFBI and Poseidon. MP commented that a similar project would be useful in Scotland for offshore MPAs and asked for details of the costings. He congratulated all involved and said that they would look to for funding to do a similar project in Scotland using this NI work as a template. Actions: SNIAC signed off both the AFBI and Poseidon reports and asked that they be combined into one document and uploaded to the website by LG; LG to liaise with DARD and AFBI to hold an industry/ DARD/ AFBI/ Poseidon/ Defra/ JNCC workshop to launch and present the work on alternative MCZs; DARD to be kept informed of developments. 5. Board Update (Mike Park) MP told SNIAC that he is now the longest serving Board member and during his time has seen the Board change and become a well-balanced group who listen to the Panels and needs of industry. It is still not perfect and issues in Scotland after the Smith Commission are particular pressures. MP told SNIAC that the Board are appreciative of the excellent work of the Regions. He said that during his day job running the SWFPA he sees the positive impact made by who in particular do a great job of disseminating important information regarding the industry. 6. Panel updates (John Rooney and Dan Whittle) JR commented that he had been unable to attend Domestic panel and did not therefore provide an update. DW attended the recent Supply Chain and Consumer Panel and provided feedback to SNIAC. 7. Update (Malcolm Large) ML provided an update since last SNIAC on behalf of TP who was unable to attend. He said that: hosted a Social Responsibility in Seafood workshop at the SeaWeb summit in Malta which was highly successful and well attended. He said that are proud to be at the forefront of this work. In terms of Export support, have attended and provided meeting space on stands for stakeholders at the Seafood Expo North America (Boston Show), at Conxemar in Vigo, Spain and at China fisheries in Quingdao. Further shows are planned. All three panels have met since the last SNIAC meeting and the Fish and Chip Awards (biggest ever) were held in London in January. relaunched RFS in Westminster in January with regional relaunches in NI, Peterhead and South West during February and March. 3

4 The Science Advisory Group (SAG) met and among other things discussed issues with microplastics and RASS methodology When SNIAC was launched it was a new venture for in the regions. The model has now been replicated in other regions and now a new UK aquaculture committee is being set up again using SNIAC as a model. ML said that this is great recognition of work of LG in NI and the efforts of SNIAC members. AA commented that she has been impressed by the work and leadership of on the issue of modern slavery. She said she observed a lack of knowledge on the issue among senior figures in Europe during the NASF conference in Bergen and an appetite to know more. DJ asked for clarification on what policy is on non EEA crew. MC commented that the position is that as long as crew are employed legally we don t have a position and support improved crew welfare through RFS. AMcC said that the potential loss of non EEA crew is the biggest issue facing the fleets in NI and Scotland as without them vessels would not be able to put to sea. DW said that the new legislation created in Ireland to give work visas to non EEA fishermen is very helpful and a model that should be followed here. MMcC commented that an approach should be made to the Home Office via the Minister or the Migration Advisory Committees, stating the case that migrant workers are crucial to the survival of the fishing industry. AMcC commented that work is ongoing- industry have engaged, want to engage and the RFS is part of the solution. 8. DARD update MMcC provided an update. He said that: DARD are moving into a new Department (DAERA) after the forthcoming elections. DAERA is already well-advanced in terms of structure and will be led by Dr John Speers who will report to Undersecretary David Small and Permanent Secretary Noel Lavery. The new Department will include the inland fisheries brief of DCAL and marine elements currently within DoE and it is hoped this will lead to a more joined -up approach not least on MPAs, MCZs and discards. He said that the Voluntary Exit Scheme (VES) has led to the loss of some key and experienced staff members with 6 staff being lost from the Inspectorate alone. Long term these staff will not be replaced. On aquaculture, a number of outstanding licence applications will be pursued and the mussel seed assessment for the bottom mussel industry is ongoing. In terms of EMFF, all the forms are ready to go but a question from DFP over the business plan to support EMFF is causing a delay in opening the fund for applications. 4

5 Final administrative work on EFF is in the process of being completed by DARD staff. JR commented that other areas have had EMFF since January and stated that the delay in NI puts local industry at a disadvantage. 9. AFBI general update Matt Service provided a general AFBI update. He said: Aquaculture- work is ongoing on alternative sources of mussel seed and work being carried out to look at the causes of poor water quality in aquaculture areas with funding from Northern Ireland Water and the EU. Genetic testing is being used to examine the impacts of agricultural run-off and sewerage in order to partition the causes of failures. Strangford Lough- efforts to restore Modiolus likely to be abandoned and instead DoE now looking to designate Modiolus areas outside Strangford and this has implications for industry. Inshore MCZs- AFBI responded to the recent consultation on inshore MCZs and the main points raised were that evidence needs to be more robust to allow evidence-based decision making. Consultation on proposed SAC for porpoise- MS said industry needs to submit comments as this proposal and the associated management measures have implications for the herring fishery in particular. Cod tagging programme- Tagged cod are now being released and notices are being placed in POs to tell fishermen what to do if a tagged cod is caught. Pot fishing impacts study- AFBI will soon be releasing the report on the impacts of pot fishing on SAC features. The report shows minimal impacts and the results are very positive for industry. 10. Confirm dates of future meetings Action: LG to circulate dates to members 11. Any Other Business DW asked SNIAC for permission for LG to sit on the Steering Group of the SIF-funded project on crustacean ageing being led by QUB and Kilkeel Seafoods- members agreed. MF asked that water quality issues be addressed at SNIAC as well as the forthcoming report on the issue (due in April) and mussel seed sourcing. Actions: LG to attend SIF steering group meetings; LG to add aquaculture item to agenda of next SNIAC meeting. 5

6 Action Summary LG to circulate NI presentation; LG to continue working towards the NI Regional Strategy 2015/ 2108 and start work as per the NI Annual Plan 2016/ 2017; LG to develop a Seafood Week event; to develop RASS profiles for NI stocks; LG to meet CMcM to discuss scallop project further; DARD to consider asking LG to sit on the Fisheries Taskforce; to produce a document to frame the NI position wrt the Landings Obligation and include some blue-sky thinking on what could ease the potential issues caused; SNIAC signed off both the AFBI and Poseidon reports and asked that they be combined into one document and uploaded to the website by LG; LG to liaise with DARD and AFBI to hold an industry/ DARD/ AFBI/ Poseidon/ Defra/ JNCC workshop to launch and present the work on MCZs; LG to attend SIF steering group meetings; LG to add aquaculture item to agenda of next SNIAC meeting; LG to circulate dates of next meeting to members 6